Cricket: Former coach Adrian Birrell has returned to the Ireland cricket fold to serve in a consultancy role and has hit the ground running after already holding a training session with the men's 'A' last weekend.
The South African was in charge of the senior squad from 2002 to 2007, during which time Ireland competed in the world cup before the 48-year-old stepped down and current coach Phil Simmons took over.
“I’m delighted to be doing some consultancy work with Ireland on a regular basis,” said Birrell, who took squad training North County over the weekend. “I’ve come a long way with most of the players I’ve been dealing with. I’ve been to under-19 World Cups with them as well as knowing some of them from previous senior squads.”
“I’m looking forward to renewing those relationships, and making a contribution to help Irish cricket progress and continue being successful. The recent results have been superb, and have confirmed their standing as the leading Associate country.”
“We are delighted to renew our association with Adrian on a formal basis,” added Joe Doherty, Chairman of Cricket Ireland. “The new demands of the sport as they affect Cricket Ireland mean that we are now living in a High Performance world and it is in this context that Adi will operate.”
“In the short term he will be assisting the national coach with preparation of the 'A' squad and this task has already begun. There will be other opportunities for Adi's specialist input to the development of our squads and elite groupings."